Declaring Independence Targets: I can describe the American Revolution and explain it's effects and consequences. I can compare and contrast a Patriot to a Loyalist. I can analyze and interpret the Declaration of Independence. I can identify and describe important people, places, and events linked to the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary People Nathan Hale was an American spy executed by the British. His last words were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” John Burgoyne was a British officer who made up the plan to split the colonies in two.

Mercenaries - are soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other than their own (example: Hessians from Germany)

Revolutionary Places George Washington led his men across the Delaware River on Christmas night to lead a surprise attack on the Hessians in Trenton.

More Places Saratoga was the turning point of the war. Both France and Spain were willing to form an alliance with the colonists and help them fight the war.

Even More Places Washington’s continental army suffered through a harsh winter at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Soldiers were not sufficiently fed, clothed or housed.

Valley Forge Before French aid reached America, Washington’s army had to endure the harsh winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The America soldiers had little protection from the freezing temperatures. Shoeless and dressed in rags, they huddled together inside flimsy tents until they could build small log huts. When complete, each dirt-floor hut measured about 14 feet by 16 feet. In spite of the small size, about 12 soldiers lived in each hut. The soldiers slept on either the cold muddy hut floors or the straw mattresses that were usually crawling with lice. Food consisted mostly of firecakes, which were thin strips of dough made from a mixture of flour and water. Soldiers suffered from disease and frostbite. One soldier commented that the barefoot troops “might be tracked by their blood upon the rough frozen ground.” By spring, as many as 2,500 American soldiers had died from disease, exposure to the cold and lack of food.

Other Revolutionary People African Americans fought on both sides during the war. The British offered freedom to enslaved people who joined their army. Washington later does the same.

More People Women played important roles during the war. They ran family farms and businesses; cooked, sewed and served as nurses at army camps; and a few took part in battle. Deborah Sampson joined the Continental Army disguised as a man.

More People George Rogers Clark led the American troops in the west. John Paul Jones was the American navy commander who is famous for saying, “I have not yet begun to fight.”

Revolutionary Terms Privateers acted like pirate ships and were armed civilian ships that had their government’s permission to attack enemy ships and keep their goods.

Quick Review What are 4 ways that women contributed to the war effort? What were African Americans promised if they enlisted in the war? How were civilians affected by the war?

Quick Review What are 4 ways that women contributed to the war effort? Cooked and sewed for soldiers, nurses in army camps, brought water to soldiers, ran family farms or businesses, some in battle What were African Americans promised if they enlisted in the war? freedom How were civilians affected by the war? Food shortages, enemy attacks, increased responsibility

Revolutionary People Francis Marion was known as the Swamp Fox. He taught his men to make surprise hit-and-run attacks against the British.

More People Benedict Arnold was an American traitor. Charles Cornwallis was the British general who was forced to surrender after he was trapped in Yorktown.

Revolutionary Terms Traitor is a person who turns against one side in a conflict to help the other side. The punishment during colonial times was to be hung. The Treaty of Paris was a compromise that ended the American Revolutionary War. In the agreement, England agreed to acknowledge the independence of the colonists, remove their troops from American soil, and give Florida back to Spain.

Revolutionary Places The last big battle of the war was the Battle at Yorktown. Washington and the French surrounded General Cornwallis and the Americans won the war. George Washington gave his farewell speech in New York City and headed back to Virginia to Mount Vernon, his plantation.

Why did the Americans WIN? Patriotic Spirit What were they fighting for? Skilled Leadership Who were some of the Heroes of the Revolution? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Francis Marion, ETC. Help From Abroad What did other nations do to help the Americans win the war? Alliances with France $ from Spain and the Netherlands Geography Why would geography be a factor in winning the war? Knowledge of the terrain/landscape

Impact of the War New Nation! Declaration of Independence Other nations followed suit France – 1781 Latin America Other Revolutions Today!